Cover for bed-forming structures



April 13, 1948. l, P|5C|QTTA 2,439,631

covER Fon BED FORMING STRUCTURES Filed Jul 1o, 1944 BY-QZpC @M5229 Patented Apr. 13, 1948 9 Claims. (Gijs-as) s This'invention relatesto'covers forbcdefor'me l ing structures.

The invention has :been entitled, and `wiufioe described and illustrated, in =iconnectin with a mattress. Howeveni-t awill be .understood ithat the phrase, bed-forming structure, Las :used "herein, is not inten-dedzto be limiting, ras the invention 4may have application 1in connection :with structuresrother .than mattresses, asgfor instance, bed springs Iand like structures requiring coi/tering and accessibility of parts fof thes'tructure :covered Bed-forming structures such as mattresses generally are provided with Aventilationscpenings, straps yor .similar `devices-to which access, ad'uring the use 'of such structures, `militia-:be:possible-vvi1:`h great `ease. In "order to prevent ipenetrationm dust into thebody ofsuch -a-structuiesit hangenerally been recognized as desirable itoicpver .such structures during their use bn 4beds yor `the like; covers made from materials such iastheftextiles are used,`and thereby ventilation openings, straps and the like are made relativelyfaccessibl'e.

In this connection, it is noted :that fthe term, access requiring means,V -as `used herein, Iis initended to refer to devicesssuch asithe ventilation openings, straps, and 'manipulating :maandagenerally associated with bed-forming structures such `as mattresses `and requiring access .during the time the structuresgare encased in the covers.. It is an object of the invention t0 ,provide Aa cover for a vbed-forming structure, wherein cessibilty for ventilationopeningstrapsgor the like, is provided without substantial:interferenceA with the shielding -function :of thefcover.. AThe cover is so constructedthatfby asini-ple manipulation, and without disturbing-vtheifrelation of the cover to the structure, access to the covered Other objects of the invention williebe set Aforth i hereinafter, or will be apparent Afrom the description and the drawings, in which areVi-llustrated embodiments` exemplify-ing the invention.v

On the drawings, in which Vi'fheasame reference characters refer to the same parts throughout, and in which .are disclosedsuchoperative eine` bodiments, i s i p Fig. 1 'is a perspective viewshowinga portion vof a bed having amattress disposed thereon,:and ascover for the mattress embodying features -of the invention, the mattress andthe cover-being broken away; s t

Fig. 2 is a perspective viewgof 4the-,cover for a mattress show-n in Fig. 1 to `areduced.scale;

Fig. 3 is a perspective viewto lanenlargedscale of a modified vform sof mattress cover., the .cover beingieroken 4awayinisections,.and -Vone flap-being shown partialiyiopen; i 1

, :a '.viewssirnlar to x fg. 3 of another mcdineddo'rmfofmattresscover;and

iss-afside "elevational View of Ea `further modified-mattressmover, one of the naps being broken, ,away to `illustrate the `construction. L

Dn the drawings, the Ainvention has Abeen illustrailed gin' connection :with a :mattress lugshown disposediupon` thencrioss-bars |52 'of atbed M (shownftonlyoi'n :pa11t) Mattress i 0 is shown `:in the usual form.; -;-it `is illustrated yas having a ,pair of ,straps wat/,each iside Vwall ,1;8. These-straps facilitate zhaindlingrofyizthe mattress when itfis to be placed-dn position, or is to be rernfovedrfrom` position, as, vfor Kir-istance,A uponwcross-,bars `t2,4

Whilestraps-LS-have been illustrated as attached to .side rwalls dit, `their iloca-tion 4or relation `to the mattress may fbe `determined :by specific requiremer-its;y thus, the vasscciation `may be with` any ofthe- W-alls, .taces or ,other ,structural parts,` Las... for .instance, with the end walls,` or with `bottom 22;, orftop.; Cover fisconstructedto coordinatewith a particular arrangement-,llora device or devices jupon any 4one or `more walls Vvof a par- 'ffQHlmT'm-ffress- 1 i, i

, Strapsnl are being locatediupon the wall-s of a mnl-attress `at npositions whichpas time goes on, l,are arriving at va substantiallystandardized construction. The ldimensioningiof a mattress, the distancefbetween straps, andthe s parti-cular locations of the straps u .pon a side walLan end `wall, the top qoiythe `loottoni-all` `;of these `have become susbt'antially standard. T-hus, in `the case of cover 'her'e tolbe described, itinay be ,assumed that, ,nhen such ;a.,co'vr is assembled upon the mattress, the `dime'nsioniii'g yof the cover and its several parts 'automatically will result in locating the ,pa'rts the .cover with relation to related patso-themattress. l

`Co ,.e'i26 itsel'flmaybe fabricated from any desiied material. For instancea suitable fte'xtile, Whichmay .be .waterproofed for not, `as desired, maybeuti'l'iaed.' Inany casathe cover may comprisetopandbottoznjpanels 28 and, end panels 3'2,-and/side`,p"anels 34.V 'lhesepanels may be secured ,togetherwior defining the `contours `of the cover,` 'asnror instance, by stitching along contiguous edges.l` Thus the cover `will be caused to assume a lshapesubstantially `the s-ame as that oizlthe mattre'ssdtself. The Ipanels `may be Vsolid in extentgthatispwithout any break, or, as desired, theymfi be ,pieced out ,of :sections of such ma- In the particular-structure ldisclosed, straps 4,6 on the mattress are shownfdisposedon -side walls t8 soithat theylarefcovered bv'side-panelst ns showlsthe strazpsmay consistgofa length: of fabric similar-to ,thatyfrlom which the,niattressis formed.

l :fabric `may abe ifolded to `define ,the straps,

3 and the straps so formed'are then secured to the mattress by being stitched together with the fabric of the mattress at the bottom edges 36 of side Wallsl. l

In Figs. 1 and 2, each of side panels 34 of cover 26, located with relation to side walls I8 and associated straps I6, is constructed from a plurality l of sections of material. For instance, a side panel 34 may consist of sections 38, 48 and 42. These s.

sections are located between and are stitched to top and bottom panels 28 and 38, respectively. In constructing a cover 26 from this material, edges 44 and 46 of sections 38 and 42 may rstV ,a single panel construction 18.

around the borders of the free edges of aps |82 and the coincident portions of sections 12 be stitched to edge 48 of top panel 28, ends 58 and 52 of sections 38 and 42, respectively, being first positioned to coincide with the respective corners 54 and 56 of top panel 28. Then section 48 is positioned so that its end edges 58 extend beyond and overlie end edges 68 and. 62 of sections 38 and 42. In other words, section 48 overlaps sections 38 and 4'2, and its end edges 58 are outside and cover end edges 68 and 62. In this relationship, section 48 isrstitch'ed yto edge 48 of toppanel 28, and also to those portions of' edges 44 and 46 which have already been stitched to edge 48.

Now thatsections 38, 48 and 42 have been assembled with top panel 28, bottom panel 38 is brought into association with bottom edgesA 64, 66 and 68 of sections 38, 48 and 42, respectively. A single stitching operation will be sufficient to secure the sections and bottom panel together. Then the completion of the cover may follow by stitching the necessary end panels 32 to side panels 34 and top and bottom panels 28 and 38.`

It will be noticed, as shown in Fig. 1, that merely by pushing an edge 58 laterally towards its associated edge 68 or edge 62, an opening is provided through which access may be had to a strap |`6 positioned adjacent to that opening. Immediately upon release of that edge 58, the fabric snaps back into position by the tension imparted by the mattress, the opening is closed, and the edges become tightly overlapped to prevent entrance of dust'within the cover. In Fig. 3, another panel construction 18 is illustrated. Panel construction 18 includes a pair of sections 12 and 14. The sections may be sub' stantially identical with each other except, for instance, thatl panel 12 is the counterpart or mirror image of panel 14. Thus, while they could be superimposed, their parts would be positioned in identical relation only by reversing one of the panels with relation to the other. In thiscase, sections 12 and 14 have openings 16 and 18 formed immediately adjacent their respective edges, 88 and 82, and extending a considerable 'distance away from those edges. Y' 'f Sections 1'2 and 14 are rst assembled withsection 84. The total of the lengths of panels 12, 14 and 84 is greater than the extent of panels 86 and 88 to which panel construction 18 is to be united." Thus, in eiecting assembly of panels 12, 14 and 84 to define construction 18, panels 12 and 14 are laid down so that their extreme edges 98 and 92 are spaced apart sufficiently so that,'in the nal assembly, they will coincide with edges`94` and 96 of panels 86 and 88. Now edges 88 and 'R2-face each other. Section 84` is now superimposed uponV sections 12 and 14 so that edges 88 and |88 of overlap sections 12 and-14.'

, Extending flaps |82 are thus defined by edges 98 and |88. The amount of overlapping of section 84 over each of sections 12 and Mis-greater than the extent of openings 16 and 18. Section 84 is and 14 so that the flaps may be secured in position to guard openings 16 and 18. When snap fasteners |88 are released, access is had, by swinging flaps |82 away, to the particular device beneath the particular ap. Y

In Fig. 4, a modied panel construction ||8 is illustrated. VPanelA construction ||8 includesy sections ||2 and |I4 which are substantially thesingle layer at the gap,` serves to couple the sections together to form panel construction |I8.

,Then panel construction ||8, thus formed from sections ||2,. 4 and |28,1may be stitched, along the single edges |28 and |38, thusdened, to the related top and bottom panels |32 and |34. .Then suitable snap fasteners may be providedv around the boundaries of laps |36 and the edge portions of section |28 where they are overlapped and left free, so that free access to the'openings provided by incut portion |22 will follow.'

Another panel construction |38 is illustrated'in Fig.'5. In this case, sections |48' and |42 are substantially identical `in Construction except that they 'are mirror counterparts'. At end edges |44 and' |46, respectively, cut-outs V|48 are formed, leaving gaps, Yand wings |58.- Section |52 has its ends |54 cut Vaway to leave laps |68.

Sections |48 and |42 are arranged to assume the end positions of panel construction |38. Section |52 is superimposed on the positioned sections |48 and |42 so that, even as ycut away, ends |54 will overlap edges |44 and |46, while laps |168 will cover-the gaps formed by cut-outs |48.'Y Lines of stitching |62 may then secure section |52 to sections |48 and |42 at the superimposed portions immediately'adjacent'ends |54 and edges |44 and |46. Y Suitable snap fasteners may be associated with the free edges', of laps |68 and cut-outs 48.

Many other changes could be effectedrin the particular constructions, and in the methods of useand construction, and in specic ydetails thereoi'hereinbefore set forth, without substantially departing from the invention defined in the claims, the specific description being-merely ofembodiments capable of illustratingcertain principles of the invention.

What Vis Eclaimed as new and useful is:

1. A cover for a bed-forming structure, wherein means requiringaccess thereto from afposi\ tion externally ofthe structure are provided for certain of the walls ofthe structure, andwherein the access requiring means are secured to and aannam Y rein-teria from certain Wails io'f the ystructune,1Jtne cover comprising fa plurality for" @panels iforniing top, bottom, endandside walls, the v'panels being dimensioned to '-be 'substantiallycoextensive with the wal-1s of 'the structure and being stitched "together along substantially r'contiguous ledges, the panel .Stor positioning at the locality of lthe access requiring means being constructed to .derlne means 'iter prin/1idir-11g :access Ito the `access .requin ing mean-s, `Athepanel comprising :a plurality of sections, the total flength of Ithe sections being greater lthe lengthaoffthe panel, but the sections `being overlapped, uone :of fthe `'sections having 4a portion -cut .away substantially immediately at the position Vof the access requiring means, and that section of the panel and the immediately contiguous Aoverlapped vsection being secured together so that the -immediately ,contiguous section `provides a` flap extending freely over and 'forming a covering for the opening` provided by the cut away portion, and :means for releasably retaining theliiap to `close the opening.. .Y Y -2. A cover for a bedfforming=structure,where infsuch vstructureincludes at leastone device `accessible at "the Voutsidenface 4.of :such structure, the coverpcomprising @plurality of panels to deiineitop, bottom, end andside Walls, the panels being dimensioned `and being 'assembled 'With each other to be substantially coextensive with .the outside walls of such structure, one'of 'the 'panelaywhen the cover` is` assembled `uponfthe structure, being juxtaposed :to `the device, the last mentioned panel including a plurality `of sections, one of the 4sectionsof .that panel having an opening provided therein, the sections of that panel vbeing overlapped fso .that another` of the sections loverlaps the opening, 'and the 4:section having the opening and the other sect-ion overlapping the opening being secured to each other so that the overlapping section has a free end, the free end being movable to permit access through the opening for engaging the associated device.

3. A cover for a bed-forming structure, wherein such structure includes at least one device accessible at the outside face of such structure, the cover comprising a plurality of panels to denne top, bottom, end and side walls, the panels being dimensioned and being assembled with each other to be substantially coextensive with the outside walls of such structure, one of the panels, when the cover is assembled upon the structure, being juxtaposed to the device, the last mentioned panel including a plurality of sections, the end of one of the sections of that panel having a cut-back formed therein, the sections of that panel being overlapped so that another of the sections overlaps the entire cutback, and the section of that panel having the cut-back and the section overlapping the cutback being secured to each other so that the overlapping section has a portion thereof forming a free flap to provide access through the cut-back to the associated device.

4. A cover for a bed-forming structure, wherein such structure includes at least one device accessible at the outside face of such structure, the cover comprising a plurality of panels to dene top, bottom, end and side walls, the panels being dimensioned and being assembled lwith each other to be substantially coextensive with the outside walls of such structure, one of th'e panels, when the cover is assembled upon the structure, being juxtaposed to the device, the last mentioned panel including .a plurality :of sections, the end "ci ione of fthe rsections ofthat panel Abeing cu't aWay in part lto -lfeave extendingfthe'r'efroma't-'least one -win-g of a 'width less 'thanth'e width' of lthe section, the -isec'tions of that :panel being positioned one upon fthe `other so thatanother vo'f lthe sections dorms a lap extending #at least to ftheinn'er-inost extremity 'of the wing,an`d the 'section Joi' that pan'el having the Vwing uarldtlie section having 'the lap being secured to each 'other so that the lap has a free end, the free rend being movable Pto `pennitaccess to the associated device thrcugh the out away Aportieri of thefs'ection. Y

Activer fora bed-forming structure, wherein suchstructure includes atleast one device :accessible a't the outside face of such structure, the cover comprising a plurality lof panels to denne top, bottom, end fand fside walls, the panelsbeing dimensioned and being assembled witheach-other to 'be 4substantially coextensive with the outside walls of such structure, one of the panels, when the l cover is assembled *upon `the structure, being `vjuxtaposed to vthe device, the last mentioned panel including la plurality fof sections, th'e end of one `offline `'sections of that panel being cut away in part to leave lextending therefrom at least one wing oi a width less than the width ofthe section, vvthe sections of that panel being `positioned one upon the `other so that anoth'er ofthe sections -torms a lap extending 4at least to the innermost extremity of the wing, and the section of that panelhaving the wing and the section having the lap being secured to each other along :alinelcommon with the extremity of the wing and the ibody sof the lapso that fthe lap 1has a free end, fthe :free :end being movable to `permit Aaccess toitne associated device throughthe cut away portion of the section.

6. A cover for a bed-forming structure, wherein such structure includes at least one device accessible at the outside face of such structure, the cover comprising a plurality of panels to dene top, bottom, end and side walls, the panels being dimensioned and being assembled with each other to be substantially coextensive with the outside walls of such structure, one of the panels, when the cover is assembled upon the structure, being juxtaposed to the device, the last mentioned panel including a pair of sections, the end of one of the sections of that panel being cut away in part to leave a pair of wings extending therefrom and having a gap therebetween, the pair of sections being positioned one upon the other so that the other section forms a lap extending at least to the innermost extremities of the wings, and the pair of sections being secured to each other along a line common with' the extremities of the wings and the body of the lap so that the lap has a free end, the free end being movable to permit access through the gap to the associated device.

7. A cover for a bed-forming structure, wh'erein such structure includes at least one device accessible at the outside face of such structure, the cover comprising a plurality of panels to dene top, bottom, end and side walls, the panels being dimensioned and being assembled with each other to be substantially coextensive with the outside walls of such structure, one of the panels, when th'e cover is assembled upon the structure, being juxtaposed to the device, the last mentioned panel including a pair of sections, the end of one of the pair of sections being cut .away in part to leave a pair of wings extending therefrom and having a gap therebetween, the sections of that pair being positioned one upon the other so that the other section of the pair forms a lap extending at least to the innermost extremities of the wings, and the sections of that pair being sitched together along a line closely adjacent the extremities of the wingsso that the lap has a free end, the free end being movable to-permit access through the gap to theassociated device.

8. A cover for a bed-formingy structure, vWherein such structure includes at least onedevice accessible at the outside face of such structurelthe cover comprising a plurality of panels to ,define top, bottom, end and side Walls, the panels being dimensioned and being assembled with each other to bezsubstantially coextensive with the outside walls of such structure, one of the panels, when the cover is assembled upon the structure, being juxtaposed to the device, the last mentioned panel including a pair of sections, the end of one of the sections of that pair being cut awayin part to leave a pair of wings extending therefromand having a gap therebetween, the sections of that pair being positioned one upon the other so that the other section of the pair forms a lap extending at least to the innermost extremites of the wings, and the sections of that pair being stitched together along a, line closely adjacent the extremities of the Wings so that the lap has a` free end, the free end being movable to permit access through the gap to the associated device, and means carried by the lap and Wings for retaining the lap in closing position with relation to the gap.

9. A cover for a bed-forming structure, wherein such structure includes at least one device accessible at the outside face of such structure, the cover comprising a plurality of panels dimensioned and assembled with each other to be substantially `coextensive withv the outside, Walls; of such structure, one of the panels including a plu rality of sections, one of the sections of that panel having a cut-out formed therein, the sections being greater in their total length than the length of the panel, thesections of that panel being overlapped suiiiciently to coincide with the length of the panel and so that the cut-out is overlapped by one ofthe other sections of that panel, and the sections of that panel being secured to each other so that a portion of said other section forms a freely movable cover for the cut-out. i l

' IMMACOLATA PISCIOT'IA.`

REFERENCES CITED The following references are voi? record in the le of this patent:

"UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 779,576 Berryman Jan.' 10, 1905 1,212,432 Young Jan. 16, 1917 1,267,593 Roever May28, 1918 1,335,965 Hoffmann Apk-6,1920 i 1,349,629 Reynolds Aug. 17, 1920 1,548,621 London Aug. 4, 1925 1,576,488 Hodgson Mar. 9, 1926 1,709,995 Mulkey Apr. 23, 1929 1,902,313 StrubleA Man-21, 1933 1,939,324` Stansky Dec. 12, 1933 1,986,896 Robinson Jian. 8, 41935 2,179,175 Cohen, Jr ,Nov. 7, 1939 2,343,260Y Leader Mar.- 7, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 20,290 Great Britain Sept.V 13, 1911 

